Meridian High O-lineman commits to Wyoming

Richard Bettencourt, a senior at Meridian High, gave a verbal commitment this week to play football at Wyoming.

The 6-foot-3, 290-pounder said he likely will play on the offensive line at guard or center for the Cowboys, but could end up on the D-line.

Bettencourt also had an offer from Weber State, he said.

“I just thought it was a good fit. I feel welcome there already and I haven’t even spent that much time there. I visited once,” Bettencourt said. “The way the coaching staff treats me, they call me every week, they send me letters. I just feel like a part of the family already.”

Bettencourt said he plans to graduate early from Meridian and enroll at Wyoming in January of 2014. Depending on how spring ball goes, he may or may not redshirt.

Bettencourt has been on Meridian’s varsity squad since his freshman year and was an honorable mention selection in the 5A Southern Idaho Conference last season while also making the all-academic team for carrying a grade-point average of 3.5 or above.